Caribbean Power Lunch

What happens when one of the Caribbean’s top data minds builds a tech platform instead of a consultancy? You get a masterclass in turning information into influenceIn this episode of The Value, Kevin Valley talks with Raquel Seville, founder of Dataffluent, about the role of data infrastructure in shaping how the region scales AI, drives smarter business decisions, and builds valuation-ready companies.They unpack why AI needs local data, how dashboards drive smarter business decisions, and what it takes to move from service provider to tech builder.Topics include:Data strategies for fundraising and valuationUsing AI agents in business workflowsBuilding scalable tools in small marketsLearn more about Raquel at dataffluent.com

Join host Kevin Valley as he dives into the remarkable entrepreneurial journey of Jay Jackson, an award-winning entrepreneur and author. Jay shares his evolution from corporate life to owning a real estate company and establishing RYSE Creative Village, a nurturing hub for creators in music, film, and gaming. Discover his passion for community development and empowering artists, the importance of faith, curiosity, and mentorship, and his vision to bridge the gap between creators and major platforms like Netflix. Tune in for motivational insights, practical advice, and Jay's exciting plans for national expansion of RYSE Creative Village and their empowering efforts through crowdfunding. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Journey 00:51 Welcome to the Podcast 01:06 Introducing Jay Jackson 02:26 Jay Jackson's Philosophy on Dreams and Passion 03:58 Jay Jackson's Early Career and Entrepreneurial Seed 04:27 The Turning Point: Delivery Job Experience 12:41 Venturing into Real Estate 17:42 Navigating th

In this episode of The Value, Kevin Valley interviews Dareem Jeffrey, the entrepreneur behind EcoWash—a car wash business that uses just two litres of water per vehicle. Dareem discusses his journey from growing up in Trinidad to building a global business, overcoming significant challenges, and empowering youth through innovative business models. Listen in to learn about his unique approach to franchising, the importance of resilience, and the strategies that have driven EcoWash's expansion across multiple countries. Watch this episode on YouTube

Join us for an insightful episode of 'The Value' hosted by Kevin Valley, featuring Aldwyn Wayne, CEO and founder of WiPay Caribbean. Aldwyn shares WiPay's journey from its 2016 inception to its expansion across the Caribbean, West Africa, South America, and the U.S. Discover innovative solutions like Colour Bank and WeFets, and learn how WiPay navigated pandemic challenges and regulatory hurdles. Aldwyn emphasizes the importance of customer feedback, flexible product offerings, and viable execution in startups. Get valuable insights on the FinTech landscape, entrepreneurship, and investment opportunities in the Caribbean. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Discover Check and Payment Processing 00:59 Welcome to the Podcast 02:42 WiPay's Journey and Achievements 04:26 Expansion and Innovations 06:29 Impact of the Pandemic on Business 11:16 Challenges and Strategies in FinTech 21:15 Entering New Markets: Columbia and Ghana 41:58 Building Business Ecosystems 44:27 Acquisitions and Strategic Moves

In this episode, we are with Nicholas Rees; a digital payment specialist, chartered accountant, private equity investor, and two-time Olympian from the Bahamas. Nicholas discusses his PPP business model - People, Planet, Profit - and his multifaceted career journey from an Olympic swimmer to founding several businesses, including his successful digital payments platform, Kanoo. He elaborates on his family's storied history, educational background, and extensive entrepreneurial ventures, such as his innovative water company, Everfresh. Nicholas also provides insight into Kanoo's operations, its role in the Bahamian digital currency ecosystem, digital financial inclusion efforts, and strategic acquisitions, including the recent acquisition of Trinidad-based fintech, LUHU. He emphasizes the importance of technology investment in the Caribbean and shares valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the region.   Chapters: 02:50 Nicholas Rees' Early Life and Family Legacy 06:31 From Swimming to Bus

In this episode, Kevin Valley engages with Bill Huston, a leading expert in the field of investment crowdfunding and recognized by Inc. magazine as one of the top 19 global crowdfunding professionals. Together, they explore the various forms of crowdfunding—donation, rewards, and investment—and discuss their unique advantages, particularly for underserved communities. Bill sheds light on his journey from Cincinnati to becoming a prominent figure in the crowdfunding industry, emphasizing the significance of community, mentorship, and access to capital. The discussion also highlights the need for increased awareness and education about crowdfunding among government bodies and financiers. Bill outlines strategies to use crowdfunding as a demonstration of due diligence and the role of robust business plans. He acknowledges regional advancements, particularly in the Caribbean, and predicts a future with more opportunities for non-accredited investors through community-driven models. Throughout the episode, Bil

In this episode, we converse with Will Greenblatt, an acclaimed author and public speaking coach who has aided founders in raising over $350 million.   The discussion tackles the ever-present issue of stage fright and offers strategies to manage it effectively. Greenblatt shares his upbringing rooted in acting, his experiences as a child star, and overcoming various life challenges that shaped his approach to public speaking and entrepreneurship.   Emphasizing the importance of founder market fit and personal connection to business problems, Greenblatt provides insights into what investors look for, such as credibility and effective communication. He underscores the emotional aspects of pitching and stresses authenticity and passion in delivering compelling pitches.   The episode is filled with actionable advice on improving public speaking skills, building strong investor relationships, and mastering the art of compelling business pitches.   Chapters: 00:00 Overcoming Stage Fright 00:37 Introduction to the P

This episode features educator and high-performance coach Dr. Shelly-Ann Gajadhar. Dr. Shelly is the founder and Mentor of a women’s mentorship online community of 200+ women called the Go Bravely Mentorship Community and the Author of a daily inspirational book for women entitled Go Bravely: Building Confidence Daily. Having shifted careers from law to business and academia, she blends academic principles with effective management and mindful leadership, delivering rapid results. In this episode, Dr. Shelly talks about her PhD journey and challenges as a black woman pursuing a PhD. in the UK. She imparts her insights on performance management, a crucial skill for entrepreneurs seeking to excel in their endeavours. Moreover, she also dropped a lot of tips on various topics spanning brand identity, task management, and product launches. Get ready to delve into a wealth of knowledge in this episode as we kickstart our journey toward high performance together. Highlights: 00:00 Unlocking Self-Leadership and Hig

In this episode, we are with the Managing Director of The Bahamas Development Bank (BDB), Nicholas Higgs. Nicholas was also the Director and Chief Operating Officer for the Access Accelerator Small Business Development Center (SBDC), where he led the business development department. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with deep expertise in development finance, research, and capital raising.  Here we delve into investing and raising funds in the Bahamas. Nicholas discusses his journey as a managing director, sharing insights gained along the way. He also emphasizes the importance of networking, tenacity, and expanding one’s horizons. Join us as we look deeper into the Bahamian economy and explore its investment opportunities. Highlights: [02:08] Taking on the role of Managing Director at the age of 31 [05:27] The value of networking and controlling your narrative [12:36] Overcoming fears and getting out of the box [19:00] The power of tenacity [24:43] The art of valuation [29:23]  Nicholas’ insights on

In this technologically advanced world, everything is getting digitalized. For any business to keep up, it has to learn how to efficiently incorporate technology into its processes.    In this episode, digital marketing and e-commerce specialist Keron Rose sits with us as we delve into the world of digital marketing and e-commerce. Keron is also a writer and a podcast host, and his platforms aim to educate Caribbean entrepreneurs about the technology they need to start a business.   Here, Keron discusses the different digital payment platforms available in the Caribbean and the value proposition they offer. He emphasizes the importance of considering the pros and cons of the various digital payment facilitators and choosing the most suitable for your business.   Highlights: Keron’s journey to digital marketing and e-commerce Exploring the different payment platforms and knowing what suits you Digital tools and strategies to enhance your online presence Utilizing digital tools to build your brand: success stor

In this episode, we are with Cherie Williams, a Jamaican entrepreneur living in the United States, who has identified a billion-dollar market opportunity in the Caribbean car rental industry through her startup, Veekle. Williams shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Kingston, Jamaica, to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the US while balancing being a mother of four. She discusses the challenges and milestones of launching Veekle, a peer-to-peer car rental platform aimed at revolutionizing car rentals in the Caribbean and potentially other developing regions. Williams emphasizes the importance of resilience, continuous learning, and a supportive community in entrepreneurship. The discussion also covers the significance of MVPs (Minimum Viable Products), the power of pitch competitions, and strategies for overcoming setbacks. Williams' story is a masterclass in entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of passion, perseverance, and adaptability in turning innovative ideas into successful busin

In this episode, we are with the well-known Caribbean media professional and personality Samantha Best. Samantha is widely known as a former prime-time news anchor at CCN TV6, but more than that, she is an accomplished author, content consultant, and insurance agent. It was her ability to connect with the audience and her personal touch that made her one of the most popular media personalities on television and radio. In 2023, she made a career shift as she became a member of the Guardian Group as an insurance agent, making a positive impact on people's lives.   Samantha enjoys empowering people to work smart and make more which is what this episode is about. She shares her journey from her humble beginnings in the media industry to transitioning in different career paths. Moreover, she emphasizes the benefits of insurance and the importance of time management in achieving success.   Key Takeaways: Samantha's life before entering the media industry Finding her path in media and handling the pressures of being

In this insightful episode, we are with Ocey Phillips, an expert on digital transformation, focused on assisting companies in keeping up with customer needs in a technologically advanced world. He helps companies grow revenue by matching their perceived value with the problems consumers are looking for solutions to. As an experienced digital consultant with over ten years of successes and failures in the digital, technology, ICT, and telecoms sectors, he is adept at handling various projects and challenges.   As Ocey sits down with us in this episode, we take a deep dive into the Caribbean financial services sector and talk about reinventing the process to adapt to the technologically advanced world. He also shares his insights on managing and adding value to businesses.   Key Takeaways: Defining Digital Darwinism People management through framework and autonomy What inspired Ocey to reinvent himself? Introducing Inifye: A brief overview Key challenges in the Caribbean financial services sector The benefits o

In this episode of The Value podcast, host Kevin Valley is with Jynynn Edwards and Keron Rose of “The Digital World” radio programme on 106.5FM for an insightful interview about his work as a Chartered Business Valuator and podcaster. The conversation covers a wide range of topics related to business valuation and entrepreneurship, including: Kevin's professional background in business valuation  Understanding what a Chartered Business Valuator does  Basic steps to building an investible business  Why do small businesses fail to access capital from banks & available alternatives  How to value intellectual property and brands Knowing when to choose a business canvas over a business plan  The story behind the Caribbean Power Lunch Podcast and subsequent transition to The Value Show Views on podcasting as a medium in 2023  Throughout the episode, Kevin shares his expertise on these topics and provides practical advice for entrepreneurs and business owners. He also discusses his mission to educate business ow

Kevin Valley visits his high school alma mater to address the current cohort on the topic “What I Have Learnt”. This series was designed to engage young men in conversations with past students on key lessons they have learnt after leaving the school. The speeches take on a well-rounded perspective on life not limited simply to everyday career advice. In this speech, Kevin leaves the students with three potent lessons: Daydreams are powerful; It’s not about you; your purpose is to serve Resilience wins the long game. Smartly intertwined with stories about his own failures, determination, and success, he drives home the key lesson of listening to your inner voice because it knows you best. Feeling a bit uncertain in your journey? Press play for some inspiration.   Resources: From Daydreams to Purpose: How Environment and Resilience Drive Performance

In this episode, Jarrod Best-Mitchell, a sales consultant with almost two decades of experience, shares his insights on the art of sales. He has worked at several top local and international corporations and has trained hundreds of sales professionals in current sales techniques to improve their performance and achieve their goals. His company, Help Me Sell, offers sales team coaching, sales process auditing, and helps C-level executives optimize their LinkedIn profiles. Jarrod firmly believes that "nothing happens until a sale is made" and has a track record that speaks for itself, having generated over 2 million organic views of his content in the last 22 months. He delves into topics such as the importance of mindset in sales, debunking the myth of the sales personality, the real key to learning how to sell, using content to answer customer questions and reach more people, and the importance of using video content to build trust and authority with strangers. He also touches on how to identify your ideal cl

The Indomitable Tishauna Mullings takes the interview mic on this episode of The Value.   Self-described as a Jamaican “pracademic” who loves to question orthodoxy, Tishauna loves and believes in academia to the extent it can help create real solutions for people’s lives. She is a social entrepreneur who believes the world is full of too many issues for folks to go into business ONLY for profit.   With a resume as long as it is inspiring, Tishauna wears several hats as a youth leader, community builder, and social development practitioner. Her work centres around building community wealth through rural regeneration. She is the founder of the Little Genius programme and NexxStepp Lifelong Educational Services, a social enterprise focused on empowering young people by equipping them with practical skills for employment.   Additionally, Tishauna is a Caribbean 30 under 30 Award recipient, Chevening Scholar, the winner of the 2013/2014 Farm Queen competition, Recipient of the Governor-General’s Award for St. Th

Operating at the intersection of technology and business analytics, Jason Valley has spent over 2 decades using technology to add value to businesses.  His exemplary career spans the finance, oil & gas, and telecommunications sectors where his projects improved turnaround time on business processes. His unwavering commitment to efficiency and excellence earned him the honour of ‘Employee of the Year’ in 1998 and 2010 while his team was recognized as Best-in-Class globally for process optimization. Following these successes, he ventured into the rewarding world of entrepreneurship seeking to help small to medium-sized businesses optimize their operations. This interview is jampacked with stories, lessons, and advice on: Opening doors for emerging talent using tech The Importance of Passion and Profits in deciding whether to pivot or scale The difference between being "One in a million" vs "One of a million" and what that means for your value The importance of market research an

Steven Jasmin recognized Guyana’s investment potential back when he first arrived in June 2017. The stark similarities between Guyana and Louisiana; the off-shore centre for oil & gas production in the US; made him a believer in Guyana‘s investibility.   5 years after settling in, Steven and his team have a clear understanding of the Guyanese people as well as the opportunities that lie ahead for the "land of many waters". What he brings to the table and offers to multi-generational blue-collar business owners hoping to have a piece of the oil & gas pie, is his ability to speak the language of Fortune 500 companies.    He bridges the gap between local businesses seeking to work with large energy conglomerates by overseeing investments and handling key operational tasks required for big business collaborations.    This episode explores the realities of Guyana’s investibility including Key challenges faced by foreign and local investors; Opportunities for wealth building, investment and economic growt

Jay Harris makes an appearance on the podcast to discuss the exciting world of Web 3.  Web 3 or Web 3.0 is referred to as the next generation of the internet’s technical, legal and payment infrastructure. Its focus is on ownership and incorporates technologies and concepts such as decentralization, token-based economies and blockchain.  Our conversation sheds light on some important themes in Web 3 and instructs listeners on the key differences between these digital platforms & technologies.    We discuss: Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Ethereum, NFTs and the Metaverse (what they are and how they are used)  The first step in building a crypto wallet Mitigating risk in an unregulated market How businesses can capitalize on these digital platforms   Jay Harris is the Founder of the W3 Podcasts (Digital Leaders, Web 3 Leaders & World Tech Forum); audio shows aimed at educating and encouraging Web 3 communities.  The tech expert is an engaging speaker who effortlessly connects with the needs of his audience,